Event approvals

Anyone planning an event should begin by visiting the UQ events information page here to ensure they get the latest information about the events approval process, and access to the current application forms. Following current procedures and using the latest forms will avoid delays in the approval process.

UQ Mayne Events Space

Need a space to host your next event? Close and convenient to the Brisbane CBD, The Mayne Events Space boasts rooms perfect for private dinners, conferences, or workshops. Event booking information and room details can be found in our event compendium and via the Mayne Events Space website. Contact the team today for a personalised event proposal.Mater Research Seminar Series

EventsMater Research Seminar Series
PhD Candidates’ Hour
Reports from three HDR students at the final milestone of their doctorates. Monday 20 November, 12:30–1:30pm. TRI UQ Seminar Room 2007 and Zoom.

Brisbane Cancer Conference: Advocacy session
All are welcome at this free session which will include an open forum and discussions around advocacy and consumer involvement in cancer care and research. Chairs for the session include Anita McGrath, Alison Bolton and Michel Itel. Thursday 23 November, 4:30–6:30pm. Plaza Auditorium, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Register now. 

Queensland Holocaust Museum Research Seminar and Talks Series
Nurses involvement in the experiments at Ravensbrück concentration camp
Professor Linda Shields will present this seminar on nurses involvement in the crimes of the Nazi regime. Her work reveals the experiences of non-Jewish victims of Nazi persecution, and examines the connection between nurses and the implementation of Nazi ideology, which targeted people of “non-Aryan” descent. Thursday 23 November, 6–7:30pm. Cost of entry to the museum: $10 for adults, $8 for concessions. Registration is essential, register now.

View archived Events announcements

Congratulations

• Associate Professor Jennifer Koplin was awarded an NHMRC Partnership Grant (total value $2.28m) for assessing the use of pasteurised donor human milk for term-born infants requiring supplementation.
• Dr Thuy Frakking was successful in winning a new MRFF Grant entitled, External validation of a classifier for the detection of aspiration in children.
• Dr Trish Gilholm was awarded a travel grant from the Australian Trials Methodology Network.
• Stina Oftedal has achieved a promotion to Level B academic.
• Elouise Comber has won the Bing and Ross Barnard Biotechnology Prize by the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences.

Welcome to two new staff – Dr Erin Pitt, Research Fellow with Childhood Allergy and Epidemiology, and Edward Hayes-Woods, Research Coordinator with QCPRRC.

For general information about CHRC – particularly for new staff and students please review our Intranet site.

View archived announcements from CHRC

Substance use and mental health
CHSR’s Substance Use and Mental Health team congratulate our recent UQ summer scholar Mitch Jack (Tom Strating supervisor) whose been award $500 travel scholarship, from UQ’s Student Enrichment and employability Development, to attend the Australasian Conference of Undergraduate Research. His presentation: Machine learning models to predict substance use related adverse events: A step-by-step guide using a case study of cannabis-associated psychosis.

From the Director’s Desk
It was wonderful to see so many people last week at our final All Staff and Student Forum for 2023. I would once again like to congratulate our staff for their many successes and achievements this year! Congratulations also to both Professor Clair Sullivan and Dr Jaimon Kelly on their recent promotions! l look forward to seeing you all soon at our CHSR end of year function on Thursday 7 December to celebrate with you. Please join us for an afternoon of fun and food in the Mary Emelia Room at the Mayne Medical School Herston from 2:30pm. Please remember to RSVP to the calendar invite by 30 November for catering purposes.

Best wishes

Monika

The spirit of reconciliation
UQ Core Cultural Learning modules can be completed at your own pace whenever you like (Modules 1-2 are mandatory for all UQ staff).

CHSR Seminars
No Seminar this week – Leximancer training for those that have signed up

Conferences

• The Success and Failures in Telehealth (SFT -2024) conference is right around the corner. The program is organised by The University of Queensland’s Centre for Online Health and the Australian Telehealth Society (ATHS) and looks set to be a blockbuster conference with national and international guest speakers and invited abstracts.
• The 13 Health Services Research Association of Australia and New Zealand (HSRAANZ) Conference 2024 website is now live! Keep updated with all news and events.

PhD milestones
Organ transplantation as a model of reversible frailty by Trent Payne
Monday 20 November, 10–10:30am. Online. 

Research Support Team updates
Please notify the CHSR Research Support Team via the online survey or email Casey and Lauren if you are applying for grants (either as CIA or collaborator). For post-award support, please contact Trish Murray.

Funding opportunities

• Queensland Health Clinical Research Fellowship – close 26 November
• ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs – close 29 November
• NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence – expected to close 29 November
• MRFF Traumatic Brain Injury – close 29 November
• MRFF Research Data Infrastructure Grant – close 8 December
• MRFF International Clinical Trial Collaborations – close 7 February 2024
• MRFF Indigenous Health Research Fund – close 6 March 2024
• HTQ Consumer engagement microgrants – ongoing

More funding opportunities available via the FoM CHSR teams.

Award Opportunities
More award opportunities available via the FoM CHSR teams.

Training opportunities
Career consultations for UQ academic researchers Level A to E and research professionals. Consultations can be booked online, are confidential and are tailored to one-on-one advice – Book now.

QCIF online statistics training workshops – Register online.

Dimensions/Altimetric Explorer training sessions – Zoom.

More training opportunities available via the FoM CHSR teams.

Marketing and Communications
Please send through all social media requests to the marketing and communications team.

X (Twitter) – Please follow your CHSR colleagues on Twitter. You can find their twitter handles on FOM CHSR Teams.

CHSR Publications
Banbury, A., Smith, A. C., Mehrotra, A., Page, M., & Caffery, L. J. (2023). A comparison study between metropolitan and rural hospital-based telehealth activity to inform adoption and expansion. Journal of telemedicine and telecare, 29(7), 540–551. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X21998201

Gordon, E. H., Peel, N. M., Hubbard, R. E., & Reid, N. (2023). Frailty in younger adults in hospital. QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians, 116(10), 845–849. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcad173

Khatri, D., Freeman, C., Falconer, N., de Camargo Catapan, S., Gray, L. C., & Paterson, D. L. (2023). Clinical impact of antibiograms as an intervention to optimize antimicrobial prescribing and patient outcomes-A systematic review. American journal of infection control, S0196-6553(23)00574-6. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2023.08.013

Patel, N., Dahl, K., O'Rourke, R., Williamson, A., Chatfield, M. D., Fong, K. M., Yang, I. A., & Marshall, H. M. (2023). Vertebral CT attenuation outperforms standard clinical fracture risk prediction tools in detecting osteoporotic disease in lung cancer screening participants. The British journal of radiology, 96(1151), 20220992. https://doi.org/10.1259/bjr.20220992

Reid, N., & Gray, L. C. (2023). Hospital utilisation in Australia, 1993-2020, with a focus on use by people over 75 years of age: a review of AIHW data. The Medical journal of Australia, 10.5694/mja2.52150. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.52150

Weerasekera, S., Reid, N., Young, A., Homes, R., Sia, A., Giddens, F., Francis, R. S., Hubbard, R. E., & Gordon, E. H. (2023). Putting Guidelines Into Practice: Is Frailty Measurement at the Time of Kidney Transplant Eligibility Assessment Valid, Feasible, and Acceptable to Patients?. Transplantation direct, 9(11), e1548. https://doi.org/10.1097/TXD.0000000000001548

View archived announcements from CHSR

Medical School community achievements

Students participate in Destination Doctor
More than 100 Central Queensland and Wide Bay Year 10 students swapped their class schedules for clinical simulations. The students took part in the half day medical education program, “Destination Doctor”. This program took place between 9–13 October in Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Emerald. These students are considering a career in medicine, this program provides hands-on learning experiences, while being guided and mentored by doctors, medical staff, and current Regional Medical Pathway students. 

Research  

Two pilot grants awards
The Mayne Academy of Critical Care has awarded two 2024 Pilot Grants to Academic Title Holders undertaking research within the Clinical Units. Associate Professor Pal Sivalingam and Dr Joy Turner were awarded a grant for their project “Gastric 13C-Acetate breath test to Assess fluids in Gastric Emptying” which will be undertaken at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Dr Michael Boules was awarded a grant for his project “Postoperative neural injury after non-neurosurgical procedures” which will be undertaken at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Congratulations to both teams.

Faculty Research Alert
The Faculty Research Alert is circulated weekly via email and includes information about UQ internal schemes, external funding opportunities and awards.  If you would like to receive the Alert, please email the Faculty of Medicine Research team. Detailed information on research funding opportunities and awards can be viewed on the Faculty of Medicine intranet. For previously advertised grant and award opportunities and events, please refer to the Archive Faculty Research Alert webpage. 

Education

MD design update
An evaluation of Year 1 is currently underway, and feedback has been sought from current Year 1 students and teaching staff. Students have been asked what they value and where they believe enhancements could be made. This important feedback will be used to help inform course design improvements, including changes that will be implemented across 2024 and 2025.

The Year 2 course team is focussed on the refinement of the curriculum design for 2024, including the development of more detailed sessions plans. A lot of work has already been completed for activities that needed local implementation, including procedural skills workshops and clinical immersion activities. The focus is now on whole cohort activities such as Plenaries and Symposia, as well as Case Based Learning (CBL).

The Year 3 draft course outline has recently been approved by the MD Design and Operations Project Board, and the team is now focused on the detailed design of each learning element. This will include further consultation with stakeholders about the structured teaching program, including seeking feedback from current students regarding the proposed structure and format of learning experiences.

The Year 4 course team is actively considering the design of an 8-week model of clinical immersions and a draft Longitudinal Learning Program for the first half of the year. This will include scenario-based, simulation-based learning followed by reinforcement activities.

Engagement

General Practice Clinical Unit newsletter
The General Practice Clinical Unit distributes a quarterly newsletter. Click on the Newsletters tab for the latest information regarding the Mayne Academy of General Practice and General Practice Clinical Unit, teaching tips, articles and more.

Central Queensland and Wide Bay Regional Medical Pathway
Keep up to date with what’s happening in the October edition of the quarterly Regional Medical Pathway Newsletter.

Reminder to action Fixed-Term contract expiries
To renew a fixed term contract, the Manager needs to initiate this via a Job Change process. The Fixed Term Contract Renewal guide detailing how to complete this process in Workday. Alternatively, if a contract is not to be renewed please follow the Fixed Term Non-Renewal Process.

Please remember that AskHR is available to assist 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday should you need any systems support with the process (email askhr@uq.edu.au or phone 3365 2623) and any complex or sensitive queries will be escalated to the HR Client Partnering team.

Research Ethics and Integrity Training
Research Ethics and Integrity Training sessions are available for UQ Staff and HDR candidates via Zoom. Please see the schedule below:

• Drop-in sessions for specific questions on Human Ethics applications: Wednesday 8 November, 12–1pm
• Conducting ethical research with humans at UQ (Workday): Thursday 9 November, 1–3pm
• Responsible Conduct of Research at UQ (Workday): Tuesday 14 November, 10am–12pm
• Ethical Research & teaching with animals at UQ (Workday): Tuesday 21 November, 10–11am
• Human Ethics: Thursday 16 November, Graduate School (HDR candidates only), 10–11.30am
• Animal Ethics: Friday 17 November, Graduate School (HDR candidates only), 12–1pm

Please direct any enquiries to training.rei@research.uq.edu.au.

Volunteers required for sun exposure study
A team of skin cancer researchers from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute are seeking volunteers for their Low-Dose UV Project. The study is investigating the effects on human skin of low doses of ultraviolet radiation delivered at low intensity (like winter sunshine in Brisbane), with the aim of generating the evidence to establish safe sun exposure thresholds. The team is looking for healthy people aged 18–55 years with fair to olive skin type (Fitzpatrick I - III) who are willing to have their skin exposed to small amounts of artificial sunlight. Visit the website for more information.

Do you or someone you know ride to campus?
There are simple steps that cyclists and scooter riders can take to help protect their property and reduce the risk of theft on campus. Always ensure you use a high-quality lock when securing your bike or scooter, and park in well-lit areas. PF Assist provide staff and students with secure and enclosed designated bicycle parking facilities across our campuses, including bike boxes, bicycle racks and bicycle storage rooms. These facilities are free to use and some also include the convenience of showers and change rooms. Find out more at Bicycle parking and facilities at UQ.

AI chatbot Bing Chat Enterprise is now available to UQ staff 
Bing Chat Enterprise, Microsoft’s new AI-powered chatbot, is now available to UQ staff. It can be used to quickly generate content, analyse data, summarise documents, write code and more.  

Unlike other AI tools, it does not retain chat history or use it to train the underlying AI models, nor does it have access to UQ data within Microsoft 365. For instructions on how to set up Bing Chat Enterprise, please visit the Bing Chat Enterprise at UQ page.  

Former medical students win UQ Alumni Awards
18 remarkable alumni, including two medical graduates, have been recognised for outstanding success in their field. We extend our congratulations to Dr Alicia Veasey (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, 2011) and Dr Chloe Yap (Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy, 2022). They are leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives and advocates for social justice, transforming communities near and far. Learn more about this year’s winners.

UQProcure information session
From 20 November, staff in the Faculty of Medicine will use UQProcure, UQ’s new digital procurement system to record their procurement activities. An online information session will be held on Wednesday 15 November at 2–3pm. You will learn how to access the online help guides and get additional support from procurement specialists. The session will be recorded for those unable to attend on the day. Add it to your calendar (meeting link included). Please email the UQProcure team if you have any questions.

View archived announcements from the Medical School

View archived announcements from MRI-UQ 

Year 4 RCS Graduating students 2023 in Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Rockhampton

As we approach the end of 2023, I’d like to take a moment to express my pride in leading such an exceptional team. Your hard work and loyalty are seen and valued, and I want to personally thank each member of the RCS for their dedication to our mission.

Over the past month, I've had the privilege of visiting each of our Regional Clinical Units. It's been enlightening to hear about the unique charms and challenges faced by each location, and together we've taken significant steps building the ship we are sailing.

As we immerse ourselves in the festive holiday season shortly, I extend warm wishes of joy, health and happiness to you and your families. May this holiday season bring moments of relaxation and reflection.

Thank you for your contributions. Clare and I look forward to working with you in the much-anticipated year, 2024. We look forward to learning from you and continuing to grow collectively as a team in a supportive work environment.   

Take care,

Riitta

Team updates

• Thank you to all staff who assisted with the MMI Interviews for CQU and UniSQ. It is lovely to be part of the process and get a sneak peek at our future students.
• Christmas Party dates and UQ Thanks You – keep an ear out for your teams’ dates and plans, this is a great chance to celebrate 2023 with your team.

RTHWB update

• The 2023 Clinical Supervisor Training Series, which included workshops on Culture, Doctors in Difficulty and Leadership, has wrapped up for the year. Feedback was positive, with great sharing of experiences and discussion among attendees. 
• RTHWB are organising the 2024 Intern Mentor Program for the incoming interns at both Bundaberg and Hervey Bay to support their transition from medical student to medical officer. The Program will be launched with an informal meeting of interns and mentors during Intern Orientation Week.

Staff movements

We welcome our new team members:

• Rose Hawkins, Rockhampton Regional Clinical Unit Administrative Assistant.
• Craig Barrett, Rockhampton Regional Clinical Unit Student Coordinator.

We say farewell to the following team members and thank them for their service:

• RTHWB Project Officer, Rhianna Hardie will be finishing up in the role at the end of the year to focus on her role with the Hervey Bay Medical Education Unit.
• Kaye Cummings, Wide Bay Librarian is retiring in December after over 10 years with the RCS.
• Dr Tiana Gurney has accepted a role with the Department of Health MRFF team – congratulations on the new position and we wish you much success.
• Dr Nick Yim, Hervey Bay Principal Specialty Supervisor General Practice, will be taking a break from teaching to focus on his AMA Queensland role.
• Dr Tom Alexander, Hervey Bay Lecturer in Clinical Skills and Simulation will finish up in December.
• Jess Baartz, Toowoomba Student Coordinator has finished her nursing studies and will be taking up a clinical role in regional NSW – thank you and we wish you all the best!
• Kate Jurd, ELearning specialist – Kate has moved to Brisbane and is continuing to share her skills with medical education through the AME team.

Team successes and achievements

• A number of our team have celebrated 10-year anniversaries with The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School in 2023 – we thank them for their dedication and loyalty: Amanda McGrath, Vanessa Greig, Jules Davis, Jane Baker, Jason Wooler, Kate Jurd, Kaye Cummings and Sarah Zimmerle.
• Associate Professor Pene Prasad received her award for Queensland’s Clinical Educator of the Year at the 27^th Prevocational Medical Education Forum on 14 November in Perth.
• We congratulate the 113 students who spent at least one year with us at the Rural Clinical School on their graduation this month.

Medical Program Teaching Award winners
Congratulations to Dr Vanessa Greig for winning the Rural Clinical School award for the Medical Program Teaching Award. She will be eligible to be considered for the 2023 John Pearn Medallion, which is presented to the overall winner for teaching excellence.

• Rockhampton Rural Clinical Unit Winner – Dr Sandy Prasad
• Hervey Bay Rural Clinical Unit Winner – Dr Himali Ihalagama
• Bundaberg Rural Clinical Unit Winner – Dr Vanessa Greig
• Toowoomba Rural Clinical Unit Winner – Dr Jason Zouki
• Rural and Remote Unit Winner – Dr Anna Carswell

Research update

UCAT grant
Researchers from The University of Queensland, Central Queensland University, and The University of Southern Queensland were successful in receiving a UCAT ANZ Research Grant. Dr Jordan Fox, Associate Professor Matthew McGrail, Dr Doogie Whitcombe, Dr Edward Bliss, Associate Professor Riitta Partanen, Dr Nicole Shepherd, Professor Eliza Whiteside, Associate Professor Sonia Saluja, and Dr Tiana Gurney will receive funding for the project: Differences in UCAT ANZ performance between rural and metropolitan medical school applicants: A national investigation.

Shell
UQ Researchers from the Rural Clinical School and Centre for the Business and Economics of Health recently co-published a literature review with Shell Australia entitled A narrative review of health status and healthcare delivery in the oil and gas industry: Impacts on employees, employers, and local communities. The research was part of a joint consultancy project.

Finance
From 20 November, all staff in the Rural Clinical School must use UQProcure when seeking approval for an alternative procurement strategy (exemption) for procurement under $50,000.

This most commonly occurs in the Rural Clinical School when we go outside mandatory approved supply arrangements detailed in the Where to Buy Guide.

This is UQ’s new digital procurement system designed to automate and replace paper-based recording for procurement exemptions, briefs and high value procurement.

Wellness

Living well resources
With the festive season quickly approaching, check out My Health for Life’s suite of resources, including app suggestions. You’ll find some great advice on sleeping, eating and exercising that will help you stay and feel well over the holiday season.

A healthier you in 2024
If you’re already planning to be more active and health-conscious in 2024, check out the UQ Wellness Program for some great ideas. You can sign up the whole family for Fitness Passport; undertake a finance check; download the Altruis Life app or try some of the tasty recipes from Bupa.

Christmas mocktails
Stay cool and hydrated this summer and enjoy some delicious Christmas mocktails.

View archived RCS announcements

Date Savers

24 November – All-Hands Anatomy Training, Prentice Building (#42), room 216, 9am–12:30pm
15 December – SBMS Awards Night, Customs House, 6:30pm

2023 Annual All-Hands School of Anatomy Training
The training will be held on Friday 24 November, 9am—12.30pm, in the Prentice Building (#42), room 216. If your daily work intersects in any way with the GAF, you should attend the training. 

Autoclave Induction
A final autoclave induction for this year will be held on:

• 1 December

Inductions commence at 10:30am, in Rooms 64–108. Contact Raeleen Jennings for further information.
 
New SBMS Publications

• Foundations of Human and Animal Sensory Awareness: Descartes and Willis. Thomas Willis distinguished between neural circuitry responsible for reflex behaviour and that responsible for cognitively or consciously mediated behaviour. This afforded Willis a non-arbitrary basis for distinguishing between animals with thought and consciousness and those without, a methodology which retains currency for neuroscience today.
  
  Brown, D.J. and KEY, B. (2023) In: “Reading Descartes. Consciousness, Body, and Reasoning” Andrea Strazzoni and Marco Sgarbi (Eds), pp. 81-99, Firenze University Press. https://books.fupress.com/doi/capitoli/979-12-215-0169-8_6 

• Global facial soft tissue thicknesses for craniofacial identification (2023): a review of 140 years of data since Welcker’s first study. This paper presents a new global composite standard of all facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) data published since 1883, with a collective sample size exceeding 19,500 individuals. These FSTT data, first compiled by our lab in 2008, are now used across the world (including the USA’s FBI), as a standard for craniofacial identification techniques to assist human identification in the most difficult cases where other methods cannot be used. 
  
  Hona TWP, Stephan C. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 2023. Early Online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-023-03087-x

• Perspective distortion tolerances and skull-face registration in craniofacial superimposition: an analytical review. Craniofacial superimposition is a method to photographically overlay images of skulls and faces for identification when other means of identification are not possible. As no scientific method is exact (measurement uncertainty), this paper explores the validity of a joint: a) 1% working tolerance for perspective mismatch in the images; and b) minimization of misalignment via a strategic image point registration method.  The results find the measurement uncertainty tolerance to be acceptable and that image registration is best attained using the root of the nose (sellion / nasion landmarks). This paper represents the first in Sean Healy’s PhD candidature on improving craniofacial superimposition methods.
  
  Healy SS, Stephan CN. International Journal of Legal Medicine (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-023-03081-3

• Focus distance estimation from photographed faces: a test of PerspectiveX using 1709 frontal and profile photographs from DSLR and smartphone cameras. This study tests focus distance estimation (using the PerspectiveX algorithm) in 3418 face photographs taken at known ground-truth distances in front and profile views using a variety of cameras and lenses. The results hold importance for any forensic methods investigating faces as a line of identification and include relevance for craniofacial superimposition. Results validate focus distance estimation for profile DSLR photographs but show estimations for smartphones to be inaccurate. This paper comprises work conducted by Sean Healy for his 2022 Honours research project.
  
  Healy SS, Stephan CN. International Journal of Legal Medicine (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-023-03078-y

• Cervicothoracic junction in disaster victim identification: Idiosyncrasies and relevance of body position for advanced chest radiograph comparisons. Chest radiographs are very common type of X-ray in clinical medicine, which makes them an ideal reference record for personal identification in the mass fatality context. This paper details the practical mechanics of using the cervico-thoracic skeleton and antemortem chest radiographs for post-mortem identification when complicating factors, such as non-standard body positions (used for antemortem radiography), exist. A case example of an advanced comparison with multiple complicating factors is presented. This paper represents joint work of Stephan Lab with the USA’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, USA Department of Defence, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
  
  Stephan CN, Caple JM, Jaques SSD, Byrd JE. Journal of Forensic Sciences (2023) In press.

• Applied use of biomechanical measurements from human tissues for the development of medical skills trainers: a scoping review. Medical skills trainers are a safe and useful tool for clinicians to use when learning or practicing medical procedures. The haptic fidelity of these devices is often poor, which may be because the synthetic materials chosen for these devices do not have the same mechanical properties as human tissues. This review investigates a heterogenous body of literature to identify which biomechanical properties are available for human tissues, the methods for obtaining these values, and the primary motivations behind conducting biomechanical tests. Data were extracted from a total of 186 full-text publications. With respect to high-fidelity haptics, there is a large gap in the published literature. Even in instances where biomechanical values are available, comparing or using these values is difficult. This paper is part of Kyleigh Kriener’s PhD candidature on measuring the biomechanics of human tissues and indexing haptic properties in the design of clinical skills trainers.
  
  Kriener K, Whiting H, Storr N, Homes R, Lala R, Gabrielyan R, Kuang J, Rubin B, Frails E, Sandstrom H, Futter C, Midwinter, M. JBI Evidence Synthesis  (2023) DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-22-00363

• Mechanical Characterization of the Human Abdominal Wall Using Uniaxial Tensile Testing. It is generally accepted that the human abdominal wall comprises skin, subcutaneous tissues, muscles and their aponeuroses, and the parietal peritoneum. Understanding these layers and their mechanical properties provides valuable information to those designing procedural skills trainers, supporting surgical procedures (hernia repair), and engineering-based work (in silico simulation). However, there is little literature available on the mechanical properties of the abdominal wall in layers or as a composite in the context of designing a procedural skills trainer. This work characterizes the tensile properties of the human abdominal wall by layer and as a partial composite. Tissues were collected from fresh-never-frozen and fresh-frozen cadavers and tested in uniaxial tension at a rate of 5 mm/min until failure. Stress–strain curves were created for each sample, and the values for elastic moduli, ultimate tensile strength, and strain at failure were obtained. The experimental outcomes from this study demonstrated variations in tensile properties within and between tissues. The data also suggest that the tensile properties of composite abdominal walls are not additive. This paper is part of Kyleigh Kriener’s PhD candidature on measuring the biomechanics of human tissues and indexing haptic properties in the design of clinical skills trainers.
  
  Kriener K, Lala R, Homes RAP, Finley H, Sinclair K, Williams MK, Midwinter MJM. Bioengineering (2023) https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10101213

If you are preparing a manuscript and would like SBMS readership before submission, members of the Research Committee are willing and able to assist. Please contact the Chair, Jana Vukovic.

If you have recently had a new publication accepted or published, please let us know.

Editing and Publishing Learning Resources – Talis Aspire 
Course reading lists are created in the Library's reading lists system, Talis Aspire. Course Coordinators are now able to update, edit and publish reading lists for their courses directly in the new system.

The library runs 45-minute training sessions on how to use the Talis Aspire system. Below are the current dates available for training, but please refer to the Library Training site (under “Software”) as more dates may become available in the new year: 

• 16 November, 11–11:45am – Publish your course reading list for UQ teaching staff 
• 21 November, 2:30–3:15pm – Publish your course reading list for UQ teaching staff 

If you are unable to attend training, watch Publish and update your course reading list (YouTube, 6m56s). 

We are also offering School-based training sessions. Contact your Outreach Librarian if you would like to organise some training for your School/Unit. 

Choosing the best resources 
Some key issues to consider when selecting learning resources include accessibility, equal access, diverse perspectives, different formats and copyright. The Library encourages using online textbooks, however, commercially available electronic textbooks can present barriers to student use, including:   

• Limits on the number of simultaneous users   
• Restrictions on downloading, printing, or saving a copy of the book 

Consult with the Library about your proposed textbooks and potential access issues and find out more at eTextbooks for courses. 

SBMS Awards Night Registration
Please join us for the annual SBMS Awards Night on Friday 15 December 2023, from 6:30pm at Customs House (399 Queen St, Brisbane City). Tickets include canapes on arrival, a two-course meal, and free-flowing drinks for the duration of the evening. As always, the evening will include the presentation of both formal and informal staff and student awards as well as the much-loved raffle! Please contact Dayna Zimmerman or Mike Piper if you are interested in donating a raffle prize.

Register to attend by following this link: SBMS Awards Night Registration. If you have any questions, please contact Dayna Zimmerman.

For those wishing to continue the festivities, we will be booking some tables at a nearby venue after the conclusion of the main event (location TBD).

SBMS Friday Socials
Our next Friday networking event is scheduled for 24 November. Come along from 4pm for some beverages, snacks, and chats with fellow SBMSers on the Level 1 MacGregor deck. Both cash and cashless payment options will be available.

View archived announcements from SBMS

Head of School Update
Today, we are pleased to announce the return of Condy Canuto to the Public Health building. Condy is in the final stages of completing his thesis and will be back on board with the Indigenous Health teaching team before the end of the year. Welcome back Condy!

Condy has requested an office on Level 4, which was good timing as we were in the process of moving Sheleigh Lawler down to Level 2 so she will be closer to Liz as Deputy Head of School. So Condy may be found in 429A and Sheleigh in 222. Thanks to both of you for being flexible with your office locations.

More news has arrived of excellent outcomes for SPH people. We have had four SPH PhD candidates nominated for the Faculty of Medicine PhD Graduate of the Year Award, which is fantastic – more than we’ve had previously nominated! Karen Tuesley, Meron Lewis, Sewunet Belachew, Ha’I Ragalawa. Congratulations to the four of you and we wish you luck for the awards on 21 November.

And further news from Tara Crandon, she has been awarded the Trending on VYT Winner in the international Visualise Your Thesis competition – wonderful news! With Tara’s agreement, we’ll be showing her video at our next Staff Forum.

Keep safe,
Liz & Sarah

Liz Eakin                                                                     Sarah Piper
Head of School                                                        SPH School Manager 

Dates for diaries
13–19 November – Transgender Awareness Week. This one-week celebration leads up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which memorialises victims of transphobic violence.
14 November – Seminar: Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. Register now.
17 November – UQ Thanks You ‘Queensland Summer’. 2–5pm, UQ Herston. Register now.

Review Recommendations
This section will feature updates each fortnight on the School’s progress on the Review recommendations.

There are six priority recommendations which require work immediately. Recommendation 12 will be led by our Executive Dean, Geoff McColl, in the first instance. The five remaining recommendations are now being addressed via three working groups which are meeting regularly to form a plan of action. Please get in touch with Sarah Piper if you would like more details or wish to join one of these groups. An update on progress related to all recommendations will be provided at our final School Forum on 27 November.

SPH Space update
The Edith Cavell project is creeping along to the ‘boots on ground’ phase, with approval from the Queensland Government Heritage department expected by 9 November. Assuming this is received as expected, work will commence on Monday 13 November, with an estimated completion date in mid-February 2024.

End of Year preparation
A save the date has been sent out all calendars for the SPH End of Year Celebrations on Wednesday 29 November. More details will be sent out soon. Watch this space!

Email signatures
If all staff are able to update their email signatures with their most up to date information by the end of November 2023, it would be greatly appreciated.

All the info

• Herston Campus – https://campuses.uq.edu.au/herston
• Teaching and Learning – Teaching and Learning Week 2023
• CAHP – CAHP Information & Services
• Changes to parking at Herston – Casual Parking - Herston Information & Services
• Research News – UQ Research Main Page
• Current Funding Opportunities – Current Funding Opportunities
• Wellness Wednesday – Yoga Schedule Sem 2, 2023

SPH HDR Progress Reviews
Check out the latest advertised Progress Reviews and come along to support our HDR Candidates.

A reminder to all HDR Candidates, please advertise your upcoming reviews via the promoting your review form, so that fellow candidates and staff can learn about your work. 

SPH LinkedIn Page
Continue to help build our SPH LinkedIn community by following and inviting others to follow our School of Public Health LinkedIn page. Please send Ailsa Bolton any content you would like uploaded to LinkedIn. Alternatively, you can post on your own personal LinkedIn page and tag the School of Public Health by simply typing @UQ School of Public Health and clicking the SPH page that appears as a tag option.

SPH Research Dissemination Toolkit
Keen to disseminate your research publicly? The SPH Research Dissemination Toolkit can help you do this.

View archived SPH announcements

From the Acting Director’s desk

It has been a very busy time in UQCCR these past two weeks. We had an excellent HDR Retreat on 6–7 November. My sincere thanks to Kaijie, Tam, Judith and the team for putting together a great program. I have had so much positive feedback from participants and want to assure you that Chris and I are committed to continuing to provide important activities like this for the Centre.

We are also in the midst of celebrating our 15 Year Anniversary and had the UQ Thanks You event on Friday 17 November. There is a lot going on and I encourage all staff and students to participate where possible. I note the UQ Staff Excellence Awards are being held on 29 November. Good luck to all our nominees. The Faculty of Medicine Excellence Awards will be on 14 December. Stay tuned for more information on them.

We are finally coming to the end of the building cladding replacement work, and all the repairs on the building this year. It has been a long journey and I am very grateful for all the patience and goodwill shown by our Centre community throughout the year. Thank you once again to the facilities team (Maxine, Simon, Dom, Tracey) and Chris for guiding us through a long and at times quite frustrating period.

As we work towards the end of year, please remember to progress your APDs in preparation for another great year in 2024.

Want to be included in the newsletter?
Email your updates, event, awards to news@uqccr.uq.edu.au for inclusion.

Are you a wellbeing?
Check out UQCCR’s Wellbeing committee Initiatives and other Centre news on the Staff hub.
 
Consumer and Community Involvement
The UQCCR Consumer and Community Involvement Committee is looking for new members. The Committee meets on the first Thursday of each month at 1pm. Please complete an Expression of Interest if you are interested in joining the Committee. Contact the Committee Secretariat, Eva Baxter, if you have any questions.

Check out links to training courses, grant opportunities, recordings of previous events and resources to help you involve consumers in your research on the UQCCR intranet site.

Training for consumers
UQ Faculties of Medicine and Health & Behavioural Sciences invites consumers who are interested in health and medical research to an introductory training course for consumer and community involvement. Consumers will attend two 2-hour online webinars. Session One will be held on Monday 27 November, 6–8pm and Session Two will be held on Monday 4 December, 6–8pm. Register now. Please share this training opportunity with your consumers. Contact Jo Maxwell if you have any questions.

UQCCR Seminar Series
Dr Eva Baxter presents: 20 years of clinical trials at QCGC research and Yufan Feng presents Deciphering Metaplastic Breast Cancer Heterogeneity with Spatial Transcriptomics. Wednesday 22 November, 12pm. Zoom.

UQCCR Paper of the Month
September: "Extracellular vesicles as a potential delivery platform for CRISPR-Cas based therapy in epithelial ovarian cancer" by Dr Nihar Godbole in Seminars in Cancer Biology.

To nominate for this monthly award, please submit a proforma and pdf of your paper to Julie Wixey the first week of the following month i.e., if you published online in October you need to submit by 7 November. Winners receive a $50 gift card, and a short video of their paper is promoted online. View our previous winner’s video:

UQCCR Publication of the Month Winner July 2023 - Shikha Rani - YouTube

UQCCR's standing items 

Sweet treats
The UQCCR Social Club has restocked the chocolates with Cadbury Fundraiser treats. Chocolates are selling for $1 each, which is great value for the size of the chocolates. We have a new white container just for the chocolate money. We also understand that people may want to pay via bank transfer, so you can find the Social Club bank details on the chocolate sign. Also, due to inflation, the soft drinks are now $2 each. The money for drinks and the chips will still be placed in the old plastic cash box or via bank transfer.

The Conversation - Pitching and Writing Masterclass
Do you have an important story to share about your research? Do you need help to tell your story in a concise and compelling way? The Conversation’s senior editors can show how it's done with their Pitching and Writing Masterclass, delivered via two, 2-hour interactive Zoom sessions over two days, with online and offline writing assignments. The cost per person is $690 + GST. Find out more.

Faculty’s Research and Statistical Support Services (RASSS)
Need help with study design, data analysis, manuscript, grant application or PhD supervision? To discuss bespoke statistical support at UQCCR, please complete a request form or email Mark Chatfield. See more information under the Research Support banner.

UQ clinical trials procedure
If you are establishing a clinical trial, please check the UQ Ethics page to ensure that you are familiar with UQ requirements, such as submitting additional notifications, obtaining any additional insurance for international sites, completing the UQ template Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) and ensuring your GCP training is current. Sabine and Hanna, who work on UQCCR contracts, are happy to assist with any enquires. Alternatively, please visit the Research Support team in Room 735 for any questions.
 
Toolbox Talks
Please send through any requests for 2023 Toolbox talk topics to Chris Shannon. Recordings are now available on the UQCCR intranet under ‘research resources’. Seminar Series recordings are also available.

After-hours access to UQCCR
If you require access to UQCCR outside of work hours (6am-6pm) Monday-Friday, please get in touch with Chris Shannon as soon as possible. There is a two-day lead time to arrange access so, unfortunately, this cannot be done on the same day as your request. Please do your best to plan your research accordingly.
 
Budgets
Many research contracts submitted for signature are not using the UQ costing and pricing tool and do not factor in overheads or provide a relevant independent exemption reference, such as the funding body’s rules on their website. Failure to confirm these aspects early can mean delays in getting your contract signed or GRL issued. If you have any questions about the CPT or overheads, please contact Roheen.
 
COIs
FACs and research contracts require confirmation that your online COI disclosures, if applicable, have been approved by UQ, before a GRL can be issued or a research contract signed. Online approval happens via Workday in consultation with your line manager. As the COI process can take a few weeks, please ensure that you attend to your annual COI and updates, and factor in the timing required to avoid delays.
 
Research infrastructure
You can now access a spreadsheet on the UQCCR intranet that lists all current core equipment available in the Clinical Trials Support Unit on Level 3 and that which can be borrowed from individual research groups. In addition, the equipment wish list is now live and can be viewed and added to as required.
 
Research funding support
Visit the Faculty website for current research funding opportunities. Please contact Roheen Gill well ahead of any deadline if you are planning to apply for upcoming opportunities and Sara Gollschewski to discuss strategic funding alignment. You can find a summary of funding support and assistance available to researchers for administration, reporting and closing out of existing funding in this document under 'Research Resources'.

Twitter blitz – Career Development Committee
Interested in becoming a UQCCR Twitter Champion? If so, please contact Kate Matthews. The role includes:  

• Keeping and following all UQCCR Twitter handles and being available to help others with Twitter questions
• Always using #UQCCR and @UQMedicine
• Promoting your work and that of others in the building
• Sharing and adjusting the template tweets posted on Microsoft Teams  
• Tweeting once a week 

View archived announcements from UQCCR

2023 Jian Zhou Memorial Oration
Join researchers and colleagues from the medical sector at this year's prestigious Jian Zhou Memorial Oration, where keynote speaker Professor Ranjeny Thomas AM will share her profound career in the study of autoimmune disease, including her world leading research into rheumatoid arthritis. Wednesday 8 November, 5:30–8:00pm. TRI Auditorium. Register now.

Frazer Institute Annual Awards
Nominations for the 2023 Frazer Institute Annual Awards are now open. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions from across the Institute. By recognising our colleagues, we are making a statement about the culture we value and aspire to achieve at the Frazer Institute. Nominate a colleague by COB Thursday 16 November.

Frazer Institute End of Year Event
Staff and students are invited to join us to celebrate the year and enjoy canapes, dinner and a two-hour unlimited drinks package. Thursday 23 November, 5–8pm. Holt Room, UQ St Lucia. Register now to attend. 

Expressions of Interest – Infrastructure items
The Frazer Institute Research Committee is seeking expressions of interest for a wish list of external grant opportunities, philanthropic opportunities, TRI new and replacement schemes, Faculty capital replacement and general needs. Expressions of interest are encouraged at any time. Please use the new form and submit at any time with the words 'General Equipment EOI' in the subject line.

Melbourne Cup Cleaning Day
This year’s TRI Melbourne Cup Cleaning Day is coming up on Tuesday 7 November. For those new to the building, this day is an opportunity for an annual clean, especially in communal spaces. Participation is mandatory for all laboratory workers at Frazer Institute. TRI will supply cleaning products which will be available on each floor.

 View archived announcements from The Frazer Instittue